New Britain Youngsters Offered A Chance To See Home Run Derby July 9

July 02, 2013

NEW BRITAIN - — The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is offering thousands of local youngsters and families a chance to see the home run derby at the 2013 Eastern League All-Star game in July.

Youngsters will get to go on the field to mingle with players, shag fly balls under adult supervision and get autographs.

"This special event showcases athletes who have ascended to the top of their profession through years of hard work and determination. They are excellent role models for young people," said Rock Cats President Bill Dowling said in a statement.

The home run derby is at 6 p.m. on July 9 at New Britain Stadium. The next day, the Eastern League All-Star game will be played at the stadium; it comes to New Britain just once a decade.

The Community Foundation and the Rock Cats are distributing 3,000 tickets to the home run derby free to youngsters and families in New Britain, Southington, Berlin and Plainville. They're available through the parks and recreation departments and youth organizations in each community.

"This partnership will provide a wonderful opportunity for area youth to experience something magical – the thrill of being on a major major-league quality playing field along with some of the best up-and-coming players in the game before thousands of fans,” said Jim Williamson, president of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain. "If I was 10 years old, I’d want to be on that field myself."